Cleaning



Nov. 5, 1968 F. B. VANDERVEER 3,409,379

CLEANING Filed Oct. 22, 1965 INVENTOR FREDERICK B. VANDERVEER ANDRUS 8 STARKE Attorneys rug or the like.

United States Patent ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A dry rug shampooer having a hopper and front .and rear transverse. flexible rollers for rollingly supporting the hopper on a floor for translation thereover. A pair-of rows of. rotary brushes are disposed between the rollers, with .each row being olfset transversely from the other row.

The brushes in each row are tilted in a direction opposite I to the brushes'in. the other row. Dry shampoo in the hopper is fed-down by the hopper .and is worked into a nap surface by the rollers and brushes.

This invention relates to a w g shampoo applicator, and A more particularly to a manual device for applying and working a rug cleaning agent into the nap surface of a The invention constitutes an improvement over that described and claimed in the copending patent application by the present inventor and another entitled Dry Rug Shampoo Applicator, Seti'a'lNurnber' 387,699, filed Aug- 11st 5, 1964, and assigned to a common assignee, now

Patent No. 3,289,240. 'In that patent, the applicator is shown as being provided with a hopper for dry powder, a pair of spaced parallel rollers having compressible surfaces movable past the discharge edges of the hopper, and

a fixed brush disposed between and closely adjacent the rollers.

In accordance with the present invention, the brushing area between the rollers is substantially increased. Instead of a single fixed brush, .a plurality of rotary brushes in each row are spaced apart, and each row is offset from the other.

The accompanying drawing illustrates the best mode presently contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a dry rug shampoo applicator constructed in accordance 'with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the applicator with the handle broken away;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the applicator;

FIG. 4 is a transverse section taken on line 44 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section taken on line 55 of FIG. 3.

As shown in the drawing, the device 1 of the invention is adapted to be translated over a rug 2 or the like and comprises a chamber or hopper 3 adapted to receive a desired quantity of dry fine powdery shampoo 4 of suitable type. Hopper 3 is shown as having an open top, although .a suitable removable cover, not shown, may be utilized. A bail 5 is suitably attached to hopper 3 and carries a handle 6 for use by the operator.

In accordance with the invention, shampoo feed means are provided. For this purpose, a pair of spaced parallel feed rollers 7 and 8 are rotatably mounted in the lower portion of hopper 3 and coextensive with the fixed front and rear edges 9 and 10 of the hopper. Rollers 7 and 8 are preferably provided with hard cores 11 having a thin resilient cover 12 thereover. As explained in the aboveidentified patent rollers 7 and 8 serve to vary the effective Patented Nov. 5, 1968 opening adjacent edges 9 and 10 during fore and aft translation of the device in accordance with the downward pressure of shampoo being fed therebetween.

Further in accordance with the invention, a support plate 13 is disposed in the lower central portion of hopper 3 and is secured at its ends to the hopper end walls. The forward and rear transverse edges of plate 13 are disposed slightly below the roller tops and extends therebetween for a distance substantially greater than .a roller diameter. The rollers are thus spaced apart by a distance greater than a roller diameter. A pair of slot-like spaces 14 and 15 are created between the rollers .and the transverse edges of plate 13.

As the device is translated linearly over a rug or the like, dry shampoo will be simultaneously fed along the forward or rearward edges of both rollers, depending on the direction of movement of the device.

A plurality of circular brushes 16 are rotatably mounted to plate 13 and are suspended therebeneath on supporting rods 17 or the like. Brushes 16 are shown as of molded plastic, having bristles 18 which are spaced apart a distance substantially more than 'a particle of shampoo powder, thus preventing clogging. Each brush 16 is provided with a convex lower face for engaging the nap.

As shown, brushes 16 are arrayed in two parallel rows extending parallel to the rollers. The brushes in' each row are disposed closely adjacent a respective roller, with the brushes substantially spaced transversely. To provide a uniform brushing action between rollers 7 and 8, each row of brushes is ofiset from the adjacent row by a distance approximately equal to a brush radius so that shampoo which is not Worked in by one brush row will be worked in by the other.

The axis of rotation of all the brushes in each row is slanted slightly from the vertical so that one side edge of each brush normally extends slightly below the bottom edge of the roller and the opposite side edge is disposed slightly above the bottom edge of the roller. Engagement of the nap by the lower edges of the brushes causes rotary action of the brushes during translation. In order to increase the uniformity of action of the brushes, the slant of the brushes in each row is reversed from the slant of the adjacent row. This also causes the brushes of each row to rotate in a reverse direction from the brushes of the adjacent row for more complete cleaning action. If sufficient downward pressure is applied, the bristles of one brush may flex and overlap the path of the bristles of an adjacent brush.

During forward translation of the device, a first layer of shampoo will be deposited on the rug by the surface of the leading roller, with the roller then working the shampoo into the nap with a straight motion parallel to the direction of translation. Brushes 16 will then move across the same increment of nap and work the shampoo in more completely with the rotary motion of the bristles. The rotary motion Works the shampoo into the nap in all directions, including parallel to and transverse to the direction of translation. The rotary brush motion is reversed from now to row. Subsequently, the trailing roller will deposit a second layer of shampoo over the first worked-in layer and will proceed to work this dual layer into the nap with a straight motion similar to the leading roller. When the operator backs up the device, the same action will occur, with the leading and trailing rollers reversed.

The invention provides an improved applicator for rug shampoo. The structure gives substantially increased efficiency in working the shampoo into the nap surface.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

1. In a device for shampooing the nap surface of rugs and the like: a

(a) a chamber for storing rug shampoo material,

(b) a rotatable roller mounted in said chamber and adapted to support the device upon the nap surface,

() said roller being constructed and disposed to deposit a quantity of shampoo onto the nap surface as the device is translated over the rug in a given direction, and to initially work said shampoo into the nap surface in a direction parallel to said translation,

(d) and rotary brush means disposed adjacent said roller and constructed to rotatably work said deposited and worked-in shampoo further into the nap surface as said device is translated in said given direction,

(e) said rotary brush means comprising a plurality of brushes which are constructed to rotate in opposite directions during translation of the device in a given direction, with each said brush being slanted to provide one side edge normally extending below the bottom edge of said roller and with the opposite side edge disposed above the said bottom edge.

2. In a device for shampooing the nap surface of rugs and the like:

(a) a chamber for storing rug shampoo material,

(b) a first rotatable roller mounted in said chamber and adapted to support the device upon the nap surface,

(c) said roller being constructed and disposed to deposit a first quantity of shampoo into the nap surface as the device is translated over the rug in a given direction, and to initially work said shampoo into the nap surface in a direction parallel to said translation,

(d) rotary brush means disposed adjacent said roller and constructed to rotatably work said deposited and worked-in shampoo further into the nap surface as said device is translated in said given direction,

(e) and a second roller mounted in said chamber and adapted to support the device upon the nap surface,

(f) said second roller being constructed and disposed to deposit a second quantity of shampoo onto the nap surface on top of said first quantity as the device is translated in said given direction, and to work both said quantities into the nap surface in a direction parallel to said translation,

(g) said rotary brush means comprising a plurality of brushes which are constructed to rotate in opposite directions during translation of the device in a given direction, with each said brush being slanted to provide on side edge normally extending below the bottom edge of said roller and with the opposite side edge disposed above the said bottom edge.

3. In a device for shampooing the nap surface of rugs and the like:

(a) a chamber for storing dry powdery rug shampoo material,

(b) a first rotatable roller mounted in said chamber and adapted to support the device upon the nap surface,

(c) said roller being constructed and disposed to deposit a first quantity of dry shampoo onto the nap surface as the device is translated over the rug in a given direction, and to initially work said shampoo into the nap surface in a direction parallel to said translation,

((1) rotary brush means disposed adjacent said roller and constructed to rotatably work said deposited and .worked-in shampoo further into the nap surface as said device is translated in said given direction,

(e) said rotary brush means comprising:

(1) a first row of a plurality of circular brushes with said brushes being spaced apart transversely of the device along the said roller,

(2) and a second row of a plurality of circular brushes spaced apart similarly to the brushes in .4, i said first row, said second row of brushes being offset transverselyfrom said first row by a distance approximating the radius of a brush,

(f) said brushes being made of molded plastic having flexible bristles which are spaced apart a distance substantially greater than a particle of dry powdery shampoo material to prevent clogging of the brushes,

(g) and each of said brushes having a convex face for engaging the nap surface. 7

4. In a device for shampooing the nap surface of rugs and the like:

(a) a chamber for storing rug shampoo material,

(b) a rotatable roller mounted insaid chamber and adapted to support the device upon the nap surface,

(c) said roller being constructed and disposed to 'deposit a quantity of shampoo onto the nap surface as the device is translated over the rug in a given direction, and to initially work said shampoo into the nap surface in a direction parallel to said translation,

(d) and rotary brush means disposed adjacent said roller and constructed to rotatably work said deposited and worked-in shampoo further into the nap surface as said device is translated in said given direction, said rotary brush means comprising:

(1) a first row of a plurality of circular brushes with said brushes being spaced apart transversely of the device along the said roller,

(2) and a second row of a plurality of circular brushes spaced apart similarly to the brushes in said first row, said second row of brushes being offset transversely from said first row,

(3) the brushes in said first row being each slanted in the same direction with one side of each brush being higher than the opposite side,

(4) and the brushes in said second row being each slanted in a direction opposite from the brushes in said first row.

5. In a device for shampooing the nap surface of rugs and the like: I

(a) a chamber for storing rug shampoo material,

(b) a rotatable roller mounted in said chamber and adapted to support the device upon the nap surface,

(0) said roller being constructed and disposed to deposit a quantity of shampoo onto the nap surface as the device is translated over the rug in a given direction, and to initially work said shampoo into the nap surface in a direction parallel to said translation,

(d) and rotary brush means disposed adjacent said roller and constructed to rotatably work said deposited and worked-in shampoo further into the nap surface as said device is translated in said given direction, said rotary brush means comprising:

(1) a first row of a plurality of circular brushes with said brushes being spaced apart transversely of the device along the said roller,

(2) and a second row of a plurality of circular brushes spaced apart similarly to the brushes in said first row, said second row of brushes being offset transversely from said first row, i

(3) the brushes in said first row being each slanted in the same direction with one side of each brush being higher than the opposite side,

(4) and the brushes in said second row being each slanted in a direction opposite from the brushes in said first row to provide for rotation of the brushes in each row in a direction opposite from the rotation of the brushes in the other row.

6. In a device for shampooing the nap surface of rugs and the like:

(a) a chamber for storing dry powdery rug shampoo material, I

(b) a first rotatable roller mounted in said chamber :nd adapted to support the device upon the map surace, 4 A I (c) said roller being constructed and disposed to deposit a first quantity of dry shampoo onto the nap surface as the device is translated over the rug in a given direction, and to initially work said shampoo into the nap surface in a direction parallel to said translation,

(d) rotary brush means disposed adjacent said roller and constructed to rotatably work said deposited and worked-in shampoo further into the nap surface as said device is translated in said given direction,

(e) said rotary brush means comprising:

(1) a first row of a plurality of circular brushes with said brushes being spaced apart transversely of the device along the said roller,

(2) and a second row of a plurality of circular brushes spaced apart similarly to the brushes in said first row, said second row of brushes being offset transversely from said first row by a disstance approximating the radius of a brush.

7. In a device for shampooing the nap surface of rugs and the like:

(a) a chamber for storing dry powdery rug shampoo material,

(b) a first rotatable roller mounted in said chamber and adapted to support the device upon the nap surface,

(c) said roller being constructed and disposed to deposit a first quantity of dry shampoo onto the nap surface as the device is translated over the rug in a given direction, and to initially work said shampoo into the nap surface in a direction parallel to said translation,

(d) a rotary brush means disposed adjacent said roller and constructed to rotatably work said deposited and worked-in shampoo further into the nap surface as said device is translated in said given direction,

(e) said rotary brush means comprising:

(1) a first row of a plurality of circular brushes with said brushes being spaced apart transversely of the device along the said roller,

(2) and a second row of a plurality of circular brushes spaced apart similarly to the brushes in said first row, said second row of brushes being offset transversely from said first row,

(f) each said brush being slanted to provide one side edge normally extending below the bottom edge of said roller and with the opposite side edge disposed above the said bottom edge.

8. In a device for shampooing the nap surface of rugs and the like:

(a) a chamber for storing dry powdery rug shampoo material,

(b) a first rotatable roller mounted in said chamber and adapted to support the device upon the nap surface,

(c) said roller being constructed and disposed to deposit a first quantity of dry shampoo onto the nap surface as the device is translated over the rug in a given direction, and to initially work said shampoo into the nap surface in a direction parallel to said translation,

(d) rotary brush means disposed adjacent said roller and constructed to rotatably work said deposited and worked-in shampoo further into the nap surface as said device is translated in said given direction,

(e) said rotary brush means comprising:

(1) a first row of a plurality of circular brushes with said brushes being spaced apart tranverse- 1y of the device along the said roller,

(2) and a second row of a plurality of circular brushes spaced apart similarly to the brushes in said first row, said second row of brushes being offset transversely from said first row,

(3) the brushes in said first row being each slanted in the same direction with one side of each brush being higher than the opposite side,

(4) and the brushes in said second row being each slanted in a direction opposite from the brushes in said first row to provide for rotation of the brushes in each row in a direction opposite from the rotation of the brushes in the other row.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 396,860 1/1889 Coston l5574 2,222,909 11/ 1940 Cascio 15-5 29 2,951,256 9/1960 Hulsh 15--529 2,972,764 2/1961 Linenfelsen 15-532 3,114,482 2/1961 Dunaway 222--328 3,170,186 2/1965 Kramer 15-546 3,173,165 3/1965 Speight l5533 3,210,794 10/1965 Vosbiki 15533 3,289,240 12/1966 Vanderveer et al. l5532 FOREIGN PATENTS 771,959 4/ 1957 Great Britain.

CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

R. I. SMITH, Assistant Examiner. 

